Draylen Mason Remembrance Concert

We remember Draylen on the anniversary of his passing every March 12th through a concert celebrating his life and legacy. This year’s concert will feature Draylen Mason Fellows, the Soundwaves Symphony, and alumni, friends, colleagues, teachers, and Austin Soundwaves staff performing music important to Draylen.

ABOUT DRAYLEN MASON

Draylen practicing before a Solo and Ensemble Festival performance in March 2017 with Austin Soundwaves.

A gifted musician, friend, student, colleague, and community member, Draylen was for six years a member and backbone of Austin Soundwaves, where he played bass in orchestra, band, chamber music, and mariachi.

Draylen participated in all that music had to offer him, and spent summers with the Sacramento Youth Symphony, and the Interlochen Arts Academy. He was a member of the Austin Youth Orchestra’s Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestra, Austin Chamber Music Center’s Young Artist’s Academy, and Golden Hornet’s Young Composers Project. Draylen was also part of the YOLA National Festival Orchestra, playing with musicians from El Sistema-inspired programs from across the country at venues including the Aspen Music Festival and Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, where he was conducted by the Los Angeles Philharmonic music director, Gustavo Dudamel.

Dray’s future was bright as he headed toward graduation from high school, having been accepted at some of the country’s most prestigious music schools, including UT-Austin, UNT College of Music, and the Oberlin Conservatory. Draylen left a hole in the hearts of all that knew him, but we hope to play some small and meaningful part and allowing the world to know Dray as we did.

CONCERT

Thursday, March 12th - 7pm
Northeast Early College High School Auditorium

REPERTOIRE

  • Largo from Symphony No. 9 by Antonin Dvorak

    • Ms. Dana Wygmans, Draylen’s former bass teacher; Ms. Erika Perera, conductor of the Soundwaves Symphony

  • Old French Air by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant by Maurice Ravel

    • Cello quartet - Hudson Lemmon, Abigail Foster, Ms. Meredith McAlmon, Ms. Sara Bravo

  • Somewhere from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein

    • Draylen Mason Fellows and Mentors - string orchestra

  • Cool from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein

    • Draylen Mason Fellows and Mentors - chamber orchestra


    Soundwaves Symphony

    Led by Ms. Erika Perera, principal conductor

  • Toreador from Carmen Suite No. 1 by Georges Bizet

  • Finlandia by Jean Sibelius

  • Nimrod from Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar/trans. HCC

  • Mourão by César Guerra-Peixe

  • Conga del Fuego Nuevo by Arturo Marquez

Soundwaves Symphony Performers

To find out more about Draylen and the fellowship program created in his honor, visit austinsoundwaves.org/draylen.